Production - Shivpreet Singh

I'd like to focus our discussion on this particular shabad, as it appears to be perplexing for some individuals. There's a divergence of opinion regarding whether Bhagat Namdev is extolling Shri Krishna within the pages of the Guru Granth Sahib. Some view it as a celebration of Shri Krishna's praise in the Guru Granth Sahib, while others may find it somewhat bewildering.

The unambiguous truth lies in the words themselves. There is no doubt that Bhagat Namdev is indeed praising the human manifestation of Shri Krishna in this shabad. Just as we hold dear the kalgi and baaj of Guru Gobind Singh, as well as the khadaon (slippers) of Guru Nanak, and Muslims cherish Hazrat Muhammad's black blanket, Bhagat Namdev cherishes every aspect of love: his flute, music, his blanket, his Vrindavan, and his parents. Bhai Nandlal eloquently expresses his profound affection for every facet of Guru Gobind Singh. This profound bond between disciple and guru is celebrated and held in high regard within the Guru Granth Sahib. 

I can offer many shabads that explain this. Here are a couple of lines from a shabad that I love and sing: 

Satgur ki seva saphal hai 

"The service of the guru brings success." 

Nanak jo gur sevai aapna haon tin balihaarai jaon 

"Whoever serves their guru, I love them!"

Nevertheless, any doubts should be dispelled. According to both Advaita philosophy and the teachings of the Guru Granth Sahib, Krishna is none other than the Atman or the pure consciousness residing in the hearts of all beings, encompassing the beginning, middle, and end of all creation. In the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna reaffirms this in the Aatma Gyaan chapter, stating, "There has never been a time when you or I have ceased to exist, or will ever cease to exist, for we are, in truth, the ultimate reality, Satchidananda – indestructible, infinite, the Aatma."

It's important to note that all shabads and sections in the Guru Granth Sahib are titled with either the complete Mool Mantra (Ekonkar through Gur Prasad) or a shortened form thereof. In the case of this shabad, the title is "Ekonkar Satgurprasad." This signifies the oneness of Onkaar and the Guru's blessings. Krishna, too, embodies this oneness and is a manifestation of the Guru's blessings.

ਧਨਿ ਧੰਨਿ ਓ ਰਾਮ ਬੇਨੁ ਬਾਜੈ ॥

ਮਧੁਰ ਮਧੁਰ ਧੁਨਿ ਅਨਹਤ ਗਾਜੈ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਆਸਾ ਮਹਲਾ ੧ ॥

ਤਿਤੁ ਸਰਵਰੜੈ ਭਈਲੇ ਨਿਵਾਸਾ ਪਾਣੀ ਪਾਵਕੁ ਤਿਨਹਿ ਕੀਆ ॥

ਪੰਕਜੁ ਮੋਹ ਪਗੁ ਨਹੀ ਚਾਲੈ ਹਮ ਦੇਖਾ ਤਹ ਡੂਬੀਅਲੇ ॥੧॥

ਮਨ ਏਕੁ ਨ ਚੇਤਸਿ ਮੂੜ ਮਨਾ ॥

ਹਰਿ ਬਿਸਰਤ ਤੇਰੇ ਗੁਣ ਗਲਿਆ ॥੧॥ ਰਹਾਉ ॥

ਨਾ ਹਉ ਜਤੀ ਸਤੀ ਨਹੀ ਪੜਿਆ ਮੂਰਖ ਮੁਗਧਾ ਜਨਮੁ ਭਇਆ ॥

ਪ੍ਰਣਵਤਿ ਨਾਨਕ ਤਿਨ ਕੀ ਸਰਣਾ ਜਿਨ ਤੂ ਨਾਹੀ ਵੀਸਰਿਆ ॥੨॥੩॥

आसा महला १ ॥

तित सरवरड़ै भईले निवासा पाणी पावक तिनह कीया ॥

पंकज मोह पग नही चालै हम देखा तह डूबीयले ॥१॥

मन एक न चेतस मूड़ मना ॥

हरि बिसरत तेरे गुण गलेया ॥१॥ रहाउ ॥

ना हउ जती सती नही पड़िआ मूरख मुगधा जनमु भया ॥

प्रणवत नानक तिन की सरणा जिन तू नाही वीसरेया ॥२॥३॥

Āsā mėhlā 1.

Ŧiṯ sarvaraṛai bẖaīle nivāsā pāṇī pāvak ṯinėh kīā.

Pankaj moh pag nahī cẖālai ham ḏekẖā ṯah dūbīale. ||1||

Man ek na cẖeṯas mūṛ manā.

Har bisraṯ ṯere guṇ galiā. ||1|| rahā▫o.

Nā hao jaṯī saṯī nahī paṛiā mūrakẖ mugḏẖā janam bẖaiā.

Paraṇvaṯ Nānak ṯin kī sarṇā jin ṯū nāhī vīsriā. ||2||3||

Aasaa, Guru Nanak